CHISZ Heads wish to declare the following CHARTER FOR SPORT.  

Sport, and the competitive nature of it, plays a huge and important role and part in our schools. It  provides numerous educational opportunities (regarding values and skills) while it also presents  many professional opportunities (at all levels) for our pupils. As we are committed to teaching and  embracing fairness, justice and development in all areas of society and of our school community, so  we are committed to the same in the world of school sport. We are equally committed to a balance  between academic, sporting and cultural activities.  

Sport will be played at school to develop the potential and fitness of each child, to promote  friendships with pupils from all walks of life, to bring enjoyment, to provide career opportunities, to  prepare pupils for the competitive world, to teach valuable lessons on values. School sport is about  all pupils doing their best, not simply about being the best.  

School Sport is an integral part of school life, so all sporting events (practices, matches) must be seen  as a school activity (not as entertainment for the public) – an area through which pupils learn. Pupils  must be enabled to learn Skills, Values and Significance. They need to learn to accept decisions,  defeats and disappointments.  

The fundamental principles that we wish to uphold at all sporting events are Respect (for the rights,  dignity and worth of other players, officials, coaches, and spectators), Integrity (not cheating or  winning at all costs), Honesty, Dignity (in victory and defeat) and Safety.  

Healthy competition is useful and necessary. It enables players to improve their own performance,  to measure their progress, to develop determination, to stimulate innovation, creativity, leadership  and entrepreneurial skills. However it must not lead to arrogance. Team sports also teach valuable  lessons on co-operation and teamwork.  

Unhealthy competitiveness can be defined as allowing anything that undermines the dignity of any  other player, official, spectator or school or that undermines the values of the school or sport. This  would include cheating (over-age; umpiring/refereeing decisions; drugs); taunting or mocking of  opposition (by players or crowd); over-celebrating; over-coaching (during matches and through extra  practices); ‘War cries’ which are provocative, inciting, humiliating; questioning decisions of the  referee/umpire; poaching of players.  

In that regard therefore, Heads and Staff, Players and Coaches, Parents and Spectators commit  themselves to do the following:  

 Respect the rights, dignity and worth of other players, officials, coaches, and spectators.   Enjoy the game but remember, the game is for the child, not for others.   Enjoy the game by respecting the coach. If you are a qualified coach, feel free to offer your  

services – if not, please encourage. The coach selects the team, without interference.   Enjoy the game by respecting the officials running the matches. If you are a qualified official,  feel free to offer your services – if not, please encourage or become qualified.   Enjoy the game but not at the expense of others – please sit (or stand) in one place. Others  have come to enjoy the game, not to see or hear you.  

 Swearing or abusive language is unacceptable  

 Betting on school matches is unacceptable  

 Conduct yourself in a manner that takes all reasonable measures to protect your own safety  and the safety of others.  

 Accept success and failure, victory and defeat, with equal dignity, humility and grace. It is  only a game.  

 Promote the reputation of the sport and take all possible steps to prevent it from being  brought into disrepute.